[UPDATED] Op Brass Drum

[Maromak]

Hello!

For anyone who has recently attempted the latest version of Op Brass Drum - were you able to finish the mission and, if so, what was your strategy?

I have just finished replaying the scenario and I wasn't able to finish the mission despite using tactics which were previously effective i.e. kill the runways as soon as possible. All of my ships in the Zumwalt group were eventually destroyed by ASMs and SSMs once I had used up all the defensive SAMs and AIM-120s. This occurred with about 6 hours to go in the scenario. I was trying to move the other two groups (America and Ford) up close to the straits to provide additional air cover but there wasn't enough time left in the scenario so I had to keep the Zumwalt moving towards the finish box. In the original version this scenario included very few AIM-120s and now there are even fewer.

Of course, I will keep trying but I would like to hear from other players who were successful.

Thanks

[Vici Supreme]

I finished the scenario a second time some days ago. I did not run out of AMRAAMs this time. Have to say that I always kept an eye on the amount of remaining AMRAAMs since I almost ran out of munitions in my first run in an earlier version. At around four hours to go and 16 AMRAAMS left in the magazine, I switched all Heavy CAP loadouts to Standard CAP loadouts. However, by that time most of the Iranian Air Force was annihilated. Zumwalt SAG also helped out shooting enemies with Standard Missiles. I noticed that the AOE of the Ford CVBG does not carry any weapons for UNREP at all. IIRC, the first time I played Brass Drum in an earlier version, the AOE carried some aircraft munitions.

Supreme

[wild_Willie2]

I know it's not quite realistic, but turn of automatic fire for your TF and only fire on aircraft that are actually attacking your planes or helicopters. Then, when you need to cover your mine clearing helicopters and defend yourself against SSM missiles, turn on autofire again and let it rip

Alternatively, cluster all your TF's into a single box and lure enemy AC into your fleets SAM umbrella by pulling a brave sir Robin back to your TF once they attack your strike AC...

[ComDev]

The main change to the scenario is the fact that the SM-6 will not be carried by the Zumwalt class, and were removed from the ship in the database. So the player loses a rather important long-range punch.

So making some adjustments:

- Added another 80 AMRAAMs for a total of 346 on USS Ford. This is pretty high, it would probably make more sense to add another CVBG to the scen [8D] During the Cold War a carrier typically had a total of 200-250 AIM-7s and AIM-54s.
- Gave USS Zumwalt a full load of Tomahawks
- Shifted the AAW role to Zumwalt's AEGIS escort with 72 SM-6s and 24 ESSMs in addition to a handful Tomahawks.
- Switched LCSs to 2017 variant with Hellfire II missiles.

The scen will be released with the next db update.

Thanks! [8D]

[Primarchx]

Thanks, Ragnar! The game has changed so much since it was first created!

[Maromak]

Thanks for all the helpful tips. I will try the new version update version when released.

I like the idea of grouping (but not joining) the TFs but I don't think there would be enough time??

[Vici Supreme]

ORIGINAL: emsoy

The main change to the scenario is the fact that the SM-6 will not be carried by the Zumwalt class, and were removed from the ship in the database. So the player loses a rather important long-range punch.

So making some adjustments:

- Added another 80 AMRAAMs for a total of 346 on USS Ford. This is pretty high, it would probably make more sense to add another CVBG to the scen [8D] During the Cold War a carrier typically had a total of 200-250 AIM-7s and AIM-54s.
- Gave USS Zumwalt a full load of Tomahawks
- Shifted the AAW role to Zumwalt's AEGIS escort with 72 SM-6s and 24 ESSMs in addition to a handful Tomahawks.
- Switched LCSs to 2017 variant with Hellfire II missiles.

The scen will be released with the next db update.

Thanks! [8D]

I recommend you also check loadouts of the Iranian Tankers! [;)]

[MR_BURNS2]

I played OBD a lot recently, i love that mission. [:)]

A few things you may want to look at:

Iranian CAP near Bandar Abbas need a reasonable prosecution zone, they always go on full AB toward the arabian sea and run out of fuel before they get there, and this makes it easier to deal with them.

Iranian Early Warning radar is always turned off, rendering it useless.

Some of the Fords CVBG´s MH-60 could carry mine clearing equipment, is it worth adding this equipment or would it tip the MCM balance too much?


As for my strategy, I just do mostly big Alpha strikes against the major airbases, overwhelming them. Between these strikes few aircraft are airborne, offering the enemy few targets, and i therefore don't use too many Amraams and never run low. Also, keep in mind that the Zumwalt has outstanding NGS capabilities and use them, against anything!


Looking ahead to your updates, Thanks!

[ComDev]

Have made further mods, thanks guys [8D]

The MH-60 mine stuff is awaiting a bug fix. Will add MCM gear once solved.

[ComDev]

Also replaced the Mk84 JDAMs with BLU-109s to kill Iranian HAS' with a single hit. Mk84s take two maybe three hits to destroy.

[Agiel]

Have you considered adding "suicide swarm boats" lying in wait for the scenario?

[wild_Willie2]

Even a direct BLU-109 hit only has a kill probability against a HAS of 70%, although a hit will destroy the AC inside about 85% of the time...

W.